What is Gutter Pitch?

All gutters are installed at a slight angle so water drains out instead of remaining stagnant. They don’t look slanted because installation pros know exactly what they’re doing, but they are.

Gutters have an angled slope based on this formula:

¼ of an inch of drop per 10 feet of gutter

This formula tells a gutter installer where to attach the downspout so that heavy amounts of rain can flow smoothly from your roof. The side of your home’s roof where the downspouts are is the side that should be lower.

Long sections of gutter, like across the front of a home, may require a downspout on both sides. When this is the case, the gutters will be pitched from the middle, which means that the middle of the roofline will be the highest point, and both of the downspouts need to be lower than this middle point.

Gutter Pitch Problems

If gutters are installed the wrong way or if they are loose or bent at all, it can create problems that might be costly and difficult to repair.

When there is a gutter pitch problem, it can make water back up in your gutter channels. Water is a common problem around the home, as it can result in all of the following issues:

• Rain inside of the gutters can lead to roof damage because of the standing water. When rain backs up in the gutters, water can get underneath the shingles and cause harm to the fascia, sub-roofing and even leak inside your house.
• Standing rain water is one way mold and mildew can grow on sections of your roof, gutters or siding. Removing mold is a difficult task, especially when it grows on your roof. Mold is known for ruining organic materials (many of which exist in your home) and making people sick.
• The weight of pooling water inside your gutters can lead them to pull away from your home. The gutters can tear out fasteners from the siding, damaging your vinyl or other exterior materials. It can also ruin landscaping and windows.

Do You Have a Gutter Pitch Problem?

To be confident your gutters are properly pitched, here are a some of the things you can do:

Look for Hanging Spots

Like we said above, you shouldn’t be able to notice the slope of your gutters. If you can noticeably tell where the low point is, this is an indication that your gutter has been damaged or it is getting worn out.

You should be able to notice a dip in the gutters from the ground, so this is a safe job that you can do on your own, with both feet on the ground.

Check for Standing Water

Water naturally follows the path of least resistance, so any amount of water inside of your home’s gutters is an issue. If possible, examine the gutters right after rainfall so you can see the draining of the water.

This could force you to climb a ladder, so be careful. If you aren’t comfortable doing this, you can have a handyman or a gutter specialist from WeClean Columbia Gutters check it out for you.

Inspect for Shingle Particles

Any tiny granules remaining in the gutters from your roof shingles means the rain gutters may not have enough slope, so the water can’t carry these materials away. Seeing grit or sludge in your gutters is more common after getting a new roof installed because it will tend to lose excess granules in the first few years.

You can climb up and look, or you may see some of the particles flowing out of your gutters through the downspouts. If you notice a small amount in these areas, chances are there is more that can’t make its way out.

Why is There Overflow?

Gutter overflow is typically caused by a blockage, but it can also be due to incorrect gutter pitch. If water is flowing in the wrong direction, know as “back pitch,” you will see water overflowing from the end cap. This can problems for your roof, gutters and nearby landscaping.

To eliminate the possibility of blockage, schedule gutter cleaning at least once a year or install gutter guards. If you know the gutters are clean but there are still signs of overflow, it’s another indicator that there is a gutter pitch problem.

Professional Gutter Damage Repair

If your gutter pitch gets distorted, it can result in a lot of problems for your home. All of the problems above can let you know that your gutter pitch is wrong.

Regardless of whether your rain gutters were damaged or they were installed poorly in the first place, they need to be re-pitched if you want to avoid major home repairs, including damage to siding, leaks and landscape damage.

Gutter Repair in Columbia

The first option will be repairing the existing gutters so the proper pitch is restored. If the rain gutters are in excellent condition and undamaged, this will be the route WeClean Columbia Gutters encourages.

To correct gutter pitch, WeClean Columbia Gutters will loosen the gutter, but they won’t have to take it all the way down. This saves labor costs and time. Then the technician will measure and calculate the correct pitch and reinstall the gutters, adjusting fasteners if necessary, to fit the correct measurements.

Gutter Installation in Columbia

If your rain gutters are permanently damaged, or if they are rusting or wearing down with age, WeClean Columbia Gutters may recommend that you replace them instead of re-pitching them. This can be more economical over time and time-saving.

If your gutters have to be replaced with new ones, they will include new fasteners, hardware and downspouts. The installer should set the gutters at the appropriate pitch. You can use our tips above to make sure the new installation was done the right way.